During a recent summit on the Palestinian crisis in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s salute to U.S. President Donald Trump drew sharp criticism from activists and commentators across the globe. Many viewed the gesture as excessive and accused Sharif of political sycophancy.
Among the critics was Abdul Salam Waziriwal, Director of Sports and Physical Education in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. In a Facebook post, Waziriwal remarked, “If any world leader were to accept such humiliation, he would be crowned king for life.”
Waziriwal went on to condemn Pakistan’s ruling party, the Pakistan Muslim League (N), accusing its leadership and supporters of lacking national pride. “They have no dignity, nor do they care for the honor of their people,” he wrote.
He cited past incidents involving the party, including the release of CIA contractor Raymond Davis after a fatal shooting in Lahore, the alleged handover of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, and the extradition of Aimal Kansi. “At times they’ve sold their own citizens, at times they’ve killed them, and at times they’ve climbed to power through disgrace,” Waziriwal stated.
He concluded by calling Sharif’s gesture a clear act of flattery, adding that “these same disgraced figures then label us as non-Islamic simply for upholding diplomatic ties with India.”